Eternal Questions in Blade Runner 2049

Posted on October 8, 2017

BLADE RUNNER 2049 expanded the locations / cityscapes while honoring the visual tradition of the first BLADE RUNNER. Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Written by

Jude Thaddeus Bautista

On the ceiling of K’s (Ryan Gosling) apartment a small crane comes alive at the end of it a ray of blue light. From it a 3D projection of a woman walks in dressed as 1950s white homemaker clothes complete with apron. She puts projection of a hot home made meal on top of K’s microwave dinner. As she takes a step forward she changes her clothes to a black sweater. Her hair also changes to a more contemporary look. Her image flickers changes hair and clothes a few more times.

Joi (Ana de Armas): “Bon Appetit! I missed you baby Sweet.” K takes a bite of the microwave dinner he set down himself, “Honey its beautiful.” Her voice is calming, warm yet seductive at the same time, “Just put your feet up, relax…. It was a day.” K: “It was a day.” Joi: “Would you read to me? It will make you feel better.” K: “You hate that book.” Joi: “I don’t want to read either. Let’s dance.” K: “Do you wanna dance or do you wanna open your present?” Joi: “What present?” K: “This one.” Joi: “What’s the occasion?” K: “Let’s just say it’s our anniversary.”

He unwraps it. Her eyes grow wider. Joi: “Is it?” K: “No, but let’s just say that it is. Ok? Happy Anniversary.” He pulls out what appears to be a black stick that has a switch in the end. It has a similar blue light but more subtle. She gasps, “An emanator!” She laughs crying tears of joy, “Thank you!” K smiles, “Honey you can go anywhere in the world now. Where you wana go first?”

Ana de Armas (Joi); Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

They go up to the roof of their apartment building. She watches the rain go down like a child. Then she takes a step underneath it cupping the drops in her hand and putting them to her face. She cries tears of joy again and looks at K. Takes a step forward to him in the rain, whispers, “I’m so happy when I’m with you.”

K: “You don’t have to say that.” He leans in to kiss her. Just then her projection freezes. A small beep comes in. K is exasperated. A ringtone follows then his boss’ voice. Lieutenant Joshi (Robin Wright): “The dig has come through. We have a new lead. Get down here.”

Ana de Armas (Joi) and Ryan Gosling (K); Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

BLADE RUNNER 2049 by Denis Villeneuve is a lot more than just a look into the very near future. Just like the first installment it tackles the eternal question: what makes us human? This time it manages to go deeper; it doesn’t just deal with human memory but attempts to define it. There’s a more expansive universe to conquer.

Ryan Gosling’s (K) car was a Peugeot; Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

The original BLADE RUNNER with Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard directed by Ridley Scott captured the world’s imagination of a dark high tech future with overpopulation, poverty and of course crime. It became a cult classic receiving commercial and critical success.

Robin Wright (Lieutenant Joshi); Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

I was too young to watch in the cinemas when it first came out in 1982 and saw the movie via Betamax some years later. All I remembered was Harrison Ford getting his ass kicked by Rutger Hauer and the unforgettable face of Sean Young. Everywhere you looked in a U.S. city were countless Asians. In my college years in DLSU Dr. Mike Rapatan showed it to us. He made us study the lighting and cinematography, the look it achieved and compared it with film noir movies from the 40s. So there was an enormous excitement with the release of 2049.

Harrison Ford (Rick Deckard); Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Deckard was a cop (called Blade Runners) that specialized in dealing with rogue Replicants. Here in 2049, Ryan Gosling is also a Blade Runner, the difference is that Deckard was human while Gosling’s character is a replicant himself. He’s called ‘K’ because it’s the beginning letter of his serial number/code. Since they are not ‘human’ replicants are not given the privilege of having a name.

Ryan Gosling (K) and Harrison Ford (Rick Deckard). Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall

Genetically Modified Humans

When the first movie came out the concept of genetic engineering was not yet widely known or appreciated. This time, the sequel comes out with an audience more familiar with the concept. Nowadays we’re all aware of genetically modified, vegetables, fruit, even chicken, pigs. They all fall under the acronym GMO (genetically modified organisms). The growing of human tissue is possible nowadays apart from heart and kidney transplants being the norm. So manufactured humans whose genes are manipulated for specific purposes is something that we can grasp.

from left: Krista Kosonen (Doxie #2), Ryan Gosling (K), Mackenzie Davis (Mariette) and Elarica Johnson (Doxie #3). Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

RO GIRLS

Usually they’re designed to be physically stronger, sometimes with better reading and comprehension skills. There’s a wide array of uses from making them soldiers, cops like K to designing them for sexual pleasure- artificial prostitutes. Something more explored here in the current version: ‘Ro Girls’- Mariette (Mackenzie Davis), Doxie #2 (Krista Kosonen) and Doxie #3 (Elarica Johnson). They look like Victoria Secret models willing to fulfill your every sexual fantasy.

Ana de Armas (Joi); Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Ro Girls are different from Joi a 3D projection who satisfies a more romantic and emotional need for companionship. Mariette has a wider role in the story beyond that of a Ro Girl. She is played by Mackenzie Davis who has gained fame from the hit TV show HALT AND CATCH FIRE. Mackenzie has recently appeared as the title role in IZZY GETS THE FUCK ACROSS TOWN at the L.A. Film Festival and will be in TULLY with Charlize Theron to be released in 2018.

Mackenzie Davis (Mariette); Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Space Exploration

Life spans can also be extended or shortened. That’s how space colonization or the outer worlds were conquered because of the replicants. They were able to manufacture humans more suitable for travel through space. The original BLADE RUNNER was set in 2019. The period between them were covered in a series of short films available on YouTube. After the fall of the Tyrell Corporation, the proposal to create and use replicants again became acceptable.

Blade Runner 2036 Nexus Dawn Short by Luke Scott

Jared Leto

Because of the success of colonies in space through their use, another corporation has risen: Wallace Corp, led by Niander Wallace. He is blind but extremely ruthless. Played by Jared Leto, he gives his role a single-minded obsession in creating more replicants for the conquest of space. Niander is a character that should have been explored more. That’s something they can rectify in another sequel or third installment.

Although he is blind, there’s almost a consistent glint in his eyes. This is one of the indicators of being a replicant from Ridley Scott. SO I have a personal theory that its possible he may be a replicant pretending to be human and blind. Again this may be explored or disproved through a sequel.

Jared Leto (Niander Wallace); Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Leto has the villain monopoly since his performance in SUICIDE SQUAD where he played the Joker. In an interview with Conan O’Brien he shared that he has been offered the role of serial killer Charles Manson and cult leader David Koresh. Leto was also seen on a zipline during a THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS concert in Rio, Brazil. He also confessed that co-star Harrison Ford is his hero.

Jared Leto (Niander Wallace); Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Harrison Ford

My brother Noel called him “quite possibly the defining actor of our generation. Who can say they were in three sci-fi fantasy mega franchises? STAR WARS, INDIANA JONES and BLADE RUNNER?” Of course there are actors like Hugo Weaving who was in even more sci-fi fantasy franchises MATRIX, LORD OF THE RINGS, TRANSFORMERS. Then there’s Andy Serkis who is in the newer STAR WARS FORCE AWAKENS, LAST JEDI, EPISODE IX, PLANET OF THE APES, LORD OF THE RINGS.

Harrison Ford (Rick Deckard) from the original film. Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

But neither Weaving nor Serkis were in the lead role the way Harrison Ford carried countless films. This includes memorable action flicks like AIR FORCE ONE, CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER and THE FUGITIVE, which were also huge blockbusters. So Ford is a strong candidate as one of the defining actors of our generation if only for the sheer popularity of the movies.

He excels in portraying shady characters who find it in themselves to do the right thing just like smuggler Han Solo. He is great at showing the inner conflict in a character. Although Indiana Jones is an archaeologist he goes into ancient structures to acquire these treasures not from his country or culture. As Deckard he’s a cop but falls in love with a replicant.

Carla Juri (Dr. Ana Stelline); Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

For most fans of the original BLADE RUNNER he’s the reason why they are watching 2049. Edward James Olmos is another holdover reprising Gaff, Deckard’s superior officer into origami. Olmos became popular in a similar role in the TV show MIAMI VICE.

from left: Harrison Ford (Rick Deckard) and Ryan Gosling (K). Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

He’s not as good-looking as Ryan Gosling or has the muscularity of Schwarzenegger or Stallone that’s why he’s more relatable. But there’s courage and complexity in his characters. He’s also proven himself in dramas and comedies as well: SABRINA, ANCHORMAN 2, MORNING GLORY. Fans would also be glad to know he has signed on to do another Indiana Jones film to be released in 2020.

Ryan Gosling’s (K) car was a Peugeot; Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

European Touch

With all the Asians running around in BLADE RUNNER you’d think the flying cars would either be Japanese or Korean made. But no, they’re by PEUGEOT, their logo appeared in one of the screens in K’s car. PEUGEOT is a French brand in support of a Canadian (but French speaking) director Denis Villeneuve.

Sylvia Hoeks (Luv); Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

PEUGEOT isn’t the only European touch as the more important roles were also given to rising stars Sylvia Hoeks and Ana De Armas. Hoeks has already won accolades in her home country of Netherlands. In the role of Luv with dark hair she channeled the hot geekiness of NCIS’ Pauley Perrette with ferocity of UNDERWORLD’s Kate Beckinsale.

Sylvia Hoeks (Luv); Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Ana De Armas on the other hand was born in Cuba but also had breakthrough TV roles in Spain before she moved to Los Angeles. Ana plays Joi, the holographic girlfriend of K. The role accentuates Ryan Gosling’s strength of being a romantic lead. Combined with De Armas’ captivating eyes, angelic face, warmth, they make their relationship as real as the warm-blooded human variety.

Ryan Gosling (K) and Ana de Armas (Joi). Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Eternal Questions

This is the central theme that BLADE RUNNER director Ridley Scott, cinematographer Jordan Cronenweth successfully put to screen with their breathtaking visuals. And Denis Villeneuve and cinematographer Roger Deakins expanded and improved on in BLADE RUNNER 2049.

from left: Director Denis Villeneuve, Producer Ridley Scott, Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling. Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

It is the relationship between Joi and K that poses a lot more questions. It begins with the eternal question of what makes us human and evolved from there. IF we are able to create sentient beings such as replicants or artificial intelligence, do they not have feelings? And if they can be self-aware the way we are as people why should they be discriminated upon? Perhaps just thinking of expanding our definition of humanity to artificial intelligence has benefits. Maybe, just maybe then there’s hope in eliminating discrimination like racism, sexism, homophobia and many more to our own species in our own time.

Ryan Gosling (K) and Ana de Armas (Joi). Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall. (22)

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Harrison Ford (Rick Deckard); Catch BLADE RUNNER 2049 in Shang Cineplex Shang Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Resort’s World Manila and Lucky Chinatown Mall.